Chapter 27

Skai’s POV

My grip tightened on the tray so I didn't drop it. His eyes flashed with contempt, but he suddenly changed immediately.

He cooled down fast. A welcoming expression took over his silver fox features. I've met him once, at the networking event.

“Hi”, he said in a smooth posh accent and offered me a tight-lipped smile along with his large hand. He had a firm handshake just like Tillard. Either way, I don't give weak handshakes too.

“Hello”, I held the tray with one hand. The heavy weight fell on my arm and palm. The moment I slip my hand in his, he squeezed so hard that I winced.

If I didn’t sense the earlier aggression in my soul and felt it in my bones, I would’ve thought it was all in my head.

Maybe it's just normal not to think too much about it.

He looked at me. “I've met you before, the new employee?”

I nodded. Tillard would have informed him about the incident. The next statement I was expecting was “Out of here”.

Mafias definitely do not entertain unnecessary visitors in their mansion. Before he could say any more word, Chiara approached.

“Dad.” Chiara’s detached voice came from the side clutching a bowl of popcorn and the tray.

“Ohh, my princess”, he hugged her. I remembered how my dad hugged me every time he was back from work with my favourite chocolate and goodies. Even though my father was away from home most times, the happiness was there. Intact.

“I invited Sophia for a movie night. That's why she's here.” She surely needed to clarify.

“Have a nice time with your movie.” His look wasn't certain, and he might not let me in there again.

“Alright, Dad, I'll see you.”He walked across and then climbed up the stairs as his footsteps blended with the surroundings.

We passed through long corridors but not any more steps; it was certain the cinema was still on the second floor. I walked behind her, mentally mastering the layout and surveillance areas.

After what seemed like an eternity, we entered the room. We sat facing the huge TV that occupied the entire wall. Hell, it was the same size as cinemas’ screens. The leather sofas can easily swallow a person. It was adjustable to lie down too. I could get my head chopped off in the middle of the night. Laying down in an adjusted sofa wouldn't help. There’s even a place to put pizza, chips, and drinks. I settled for soda.

Getting ready for work the next morning was the least of my worries.

Chiara had her feet tucked under a throw blanket, flipping through movie options with more seriousness than I had seen in any of their criminal dealings. She held the bowl of popcorn to her chest.

I tucked my hands into my hoodie front pockets as I rested on the sofa with blankets covering only my legs.

Carlo entered the room, drops of water forming rivulets on his face and damp stray hairs clinging to his forehead. He moved closer to the middle and settled for a seat behind me as he leaned in and whispered.

“Are you having a nice time?”

“Yes, your sister has been so sweet.”

Chiara looked back and winked at me. “Let's try a romance movie.”

He was all around me and surrounding me. His chest hovered inches away from my back, but I can taste his scent mixed with the after-shower gel. Every breath I took was filled with his noticeable presence.

The Auder mansion didn’t feel like the kind of place where movie nights happened. Not when its marble floors had seen more blood than spilt drinks, and its walls echoed more commands than laughter.

Chiara has a softer side, maybe because she's a female. She was acting like an old friend. I caught her dark emotions countless times, but within a twinkle of an eye, they were gone. I wasn't surprised; the mafia blood flows in her veins. I wasn't the type to answer so many questions, but I’m like a cat that caught a fish and would do anything to keep it.

“Horror should be interesting", Carlo suggested.

She chose “ Evil Dead Rise” after many trials.

Carlo devoured his chips like a starved soldier at war.

The lights dimmed as she pressed play.

“No, no, no.”She has blinked several times since the movie started. Her eyes were flashing with fear, but she tried to cover her eyes when some scenes got too serious.

Chiara shrieked in her chair thrice, covering the blankets over her head. “He's coming, he's coming.”

We burst into laughter as she hit the pause button.

“Can we try another one?”

“Chiara should choose the one she likes; she might fly out of her chair if she sees another scene.”

For a moment, I had let myself slip. Let me enjoy the normalcy. But normal didn't exist in her world.

She scrolled again and settled for ‘Gone Girl”.We leant back to focus on the movie.

I watched like I was analysing a mission file. Everyone was quiet; only the sound filled the silence.

Credits roll. The movie ends. The screen faded to black. Chiara grabbed the remote and paused it before the autoplay hit.

“What did we just watch?” she said.

“Poor Nick didn't get a chance,” I said pouting.

“Ugh. This is why I watch rom-coms. No one ends up framed for murder in Sidelined.”, Chiara said. She acts so innocent for someone whose father is a killer.

“Nice, we would watch ghost movies next time,” Carlo teased.

Everyone laughed.

She shouldn't have chosen the movie. The female lead and I have the same missions. That just ignited the rising fire in me. Like a dry forest floor in the summer sun.

“I think it's high time I went home,” I said, standing and ripping off the blanket.

“Sorry, Sophia, I need to rest.”

“It's fine." I patted her shoulder.

Carlo and I walked out of the room as I waved at her.

Silence.

Carlo focused on the wheel as he followed the white line of the highway. He went through a different route, so I couldn't get the route to the house.

What was there to talk about anyway?

He looked like he was cracking a mathematical problem in his head.

At first, I had turned away from the window and tried to focus on the road and surroundings, but my mind kept wandering back to my plans. I was determined to get my hot thoughts away from the chill air.

The car pulled up at the apartment as I reached for the door handle and broke the silence.“

Thank you for having me.”Without waiting for a reply, I moved towards my door, which I opened and entered.

I touched my inner pocket where my mini recorder was tucked close to my chest. It had picked up everything from the night. Voices. Tone. Subtle tells.

Normal or not, the night had been useful.